Bung opening construction



Jan. 12, 1943. A. w. MccLARY BUNG OPENING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5,1941 WILD IN VEN TOR. ARCHIE w. M cLAgY "KI/J, (0 42% A TTOENEY.

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUNG OPENINGCONSTRUCTION Archie W. McClary, Oakland, Calif.

Application April 5, 1941, Serial No. 387,024

2 Claims.

My invention relates to metal drums and containers and more particularlyto a bung opening construction for such drums and containers.

In the manufacture of metal drums and containers, particularly thosedesigned to carry highly volatile and explosive liquids such asgasoline. naphtha and the like, it is quite essential that the containerbe absolutely leak proof and vapor proof and remain so in spite of theheavy abuse to which these containers may be exposed during handling.One possible source of troubl is the bung opening construction of such acontainer, and it, like the rest of the container must be leak proof andvapor proof, otherwise a distinct fire hazard is created. A bung openingformed by crimping the container sheet material about a bung ring orflange with a sealing gasket between, while relatively cheap, seldomretains its leak proof and vapor proofcharacteristics over an extendedperiod of time, due to deterioration of the gasket and loosening of thescam in response to stresses and strains transmitted thereto during use.Although welding offers one solution to obtaining a leak proof and vaporproof seam, the many attempts to fabricate a bun opening structurethrough the use of welding have not, to my knowledge, resulted in aconstruction capable of economical manufacture, for these invariablyrequired relatively heavy cast or forged fittings with an interior cutthread for receiving the bung closure. Nor have any of them, in so faras I am aware, been adaptable to the application of a cap seal.

Among the objects of my invention are- (1) To provide in a metal drum orcontainer, a novel and improved bung opening construction which isabsolutely leak proof and vapor proof around the seams and will remainso in spite of the normal stresses and strains to which the same may beexposed during use.

(2) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction capable ofeconomical fabrication.

(3) To provide a novel and improved bung opening constructionincorporating a bung sleeve which in my construction may be ofexceptionally light gauge material.

(4) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction includinga bung sleeve, and wherein a neck formed from the container sheetmaterial is relied upon to reinforce and brace the aforementionedsleeve.

(5) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction' involvinga bung sleeve which is capable of being formed preferably of light gaugematerial independently of the drum proper and which can subsequently beassembled to the container in a strong leak-proof and vaporproofassembly.

(6) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction whichreadily lends itself to the use of economical welding methods in thefabrication thereof.

('7) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction adaptedto the use of standard Welding apparatus in the fabrication thereof.

(8) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction in theform of a welded assembly which is adapted for the application of a capseal.

(9) To provide a novel and improved bun opening construct-ion having athreaded interior, wherein the threaded portion may be formed as anelement independently of the drum proper and preferably of a very lightgauge material, whereby the thread may be conveniently rolled into theelement prior to assembling the same to the drum.

(10) To provide a novel and improved bung opening construction sodesigned as to enable replacement or repair without mutilating any ofthe drum structure.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the followingdescription of the same taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein-- Figure 1 is a perspective view in section of onemerits of my invention,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in section, illustrating a featureapplicable to each of the embodiments of Figures 1 through 5,

Figure '7 is a perspective view in section, showing the manner ofapplying a closure and cap seal to my improved bung openingconstruction.

In its broadest aspects, by invention contemplates the forming of anintegral neck around a bung opening in a container, from the sheetmaterial of which the container is fabricated. This neck is retained 'assuch without threading or slotting the same in any manner to receive aclosure. In lieu thereof, threads or other closure securing means arepreferably rolled or pressed into a separate sleeve of preferab y thinmaterial adapted to fit into the neck and be secured thereto, such as bywelding the sleeve to the neck around its outer end, or in someequivalent manner. While the neck portion may or may not be flanged atits outer end, the sleeve, in each case will preferably be formed with aflange, enabling the sleeve to be properly supported in and by the neckin preparation for the welding operation. The resulting assembly willhave a flange which extends beyond the outer cylindrical wall of theneck to constitute an overhanging lip, thus providing for the crimpingthereon. of a cap seal, following the closure of the bung opening withthe customary bung threaded or otherwise adapted for securing the samein the sleeve.

For a more detailed disclosure of the invention and the advantagesarising therefrom, reference will be made to the accompanying draw- Eachof the various embodiments provides for a neck I drawn from the sheetmaterial 3 from which the drum or container is formed, and accordingly,the neck may be located in any part of the finished container. At itsouter edge, the neck in the embodiment of Figure 1 is formed with aperipheral outwardly directed lateral flange 5.

Fitted within the neck is a sleeve I of preferably thin sheet metalhaving a peripheral outwardly directed flange 9 at its outer end, and incontact with the flange 5. This sleeve is formed independently of thedrum, and during its formation, threads II are preferably rolled thereinof the proper pitch for receiving a standard bung plug or closure 13 andassociated gasket l5, shown in assembled relationship in Figure '7.

In assembling the sleeve, it is inserted until the sleeve flange 9engages the neck flange 5, whereupon, the sleeve will be supported inproper position to be aflixed permanently to the drum, and this isreadily realized through welding of the sleeve 1 to the neck I at theiradjacent outer ends, preferably leaving the adjacent cylindrical surfaceportions of the sleeve and neck free of each other except for suchfrictional contact as may exist between them. The sleeve 1- may eithersnugly fit within the neck I or its diameter may be such as to leave onespaced from the other. The structure of Figure 1 lends itself quitereadily to welding by the method of resistance welding, inasmuch as onecontact may conveniently be held against the under surface of the neckflange 5 while the other would contact along the upper surface of thesleeve flange 9.

The embodiment of Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in the factthat the neck I is not flanged at its outer end. The sleeve 1, however,can be made identical to that of Figure 1 and accordingly whenassembled, the flange B will extend beyond the outer cylindrical surfaceof the neck to form an overhanging lip. Resistance welding may beemployed as in Figure 1 to join the sleeve to the neck in a vapor-proofand leakproof seal along the periphery of the end of the neck. In thiscase, one contact electrode will be held against the lower surface ofthe sheet 3, while the other contact will be held in contact with theupper surface of the sleeve flange 9.

In Figures 3, 4, and 5, I have illustrated assemblies corresponding tothose of Figures 1 and 2 in a general way, showing, however, the:application of metallic welding in the sealing of the sleeve to theneck. Thus in Figure 3, the contacting flanges 5 and 9 are joined alongtheir edges only, and in the assembly of Figure 4, the weld is appliedbeneath the sleeve flange 9 along the line of contact between thisflange and the outer cylindrical surface of the neck. In the embodimentof Figure 5, the sleeve is provided with but a narrow flange II whichonly partially covers the neck flange 5. This not only simplifles thewelding operation but further adds to the economy of manufacture, sincethe narrow flange can readily be formed during the rolling of thethread, thereby eliminating the separate flanging operation required inthe forming of the flange 9 of the previous embodiments.

Of considerable importance in connection with the above describedassemblies, is the general overall economy which can be realized in thefabrication of the same, in addition to the many advantageous featuresinherently existing therein.

The assembly relies for its strength upon the neck portion formedintegral with the container. Since this'portion is not threaded orotherwise deformed to receive the closure, its original strength ismaintained, and in the case of Figures 1 and 3, the flange 5 serves toreinforce and thereby strengthen the neck portion. Inasmuch as theflanging of the neck adds somewhat to the cost, it is preferably omittedexcept in such cases where added strength is desired.

The fact that the threads II are not formed in the neck itself, but areapplied to a sleeve 1 adapted to fit into the neck, not only simplifiesthe manufacture materially, but enables considerable economy in theselection of material and the thickness thereof, from which the sleeveis fabricated. It will be apparent from the various embodimentsdescribed, that the sleeve is completely formed independently of thecontainer, and being but a small element, it can be very convenientlyhandled in performing the various operations thereon. The same may beformed from tube stock or sheet material and the gauge may vary betweenwide limits, and is not limited to the thickness of the containermaterial as is the case where no sleeve is utilized to carry the threadsbut the threads are formed directly in the neck I. Consequently,inasmuch as the neck offers the necessary rigidity for the bung openingstructure and functions as a protective wall, the sleeve, although notlimited as to thickness, is preferably formed from light gauge material,and in this connection, not only enables the realization of additionaleconomy arising out of the selection of thin gauge material, but lightgauge material is more readily rolled 'to provide a V thread for thereception of the customary bung having a cut thread.

Assembling of the sleeve 1 is facilitated by the flange 9 of Figures 1through 4 and the corresponding but narrower flange ll of Figure 5,which rests upon the end of the neck, preparatory to welding in any ofthe various ways described. The flange 9 serves the additional purposeof providing ananchoring lip for the securing of a cap seal l9 or thelike as by crimping, to preclude unauthorized tampering with thecontents of the container, after the same has been prepared forshipment. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the neck flange 5 serves thispurpose.

Should abuse in the handling of drums during shipment, result in thedevelopment of a crack in the sleeve 1, it will be noted that thevaporproof character of the construction is not affected in the least,for the weld seal will still preclude loss of vapor between the sleeveand the neck just as efliciently as before. In fact, the development ofa crack in the sleeve will not materially affect the conditionsoriginally existing prior to such damage.

Applicable to each of the embodiments of my invention, is the featureillustrated in Figure 6.

In accordance with this disclosure, the lower edge 2| of the sleeve maybe rolled into close-fitting engagement with the lower edge of the neckI. This offers the advantage of reducing probability of strains andstresses on the weld, and in addition, assures complete drainage of allsediment in the pouring of the contents from the drum.

Although I have disclosed the sleeve in each of the embodiments as beingwelded to the neck at the outer extremity thereof, it is conceivablypossible to weld the two along the lower edge of the sleeve, to seal theassembly against leakage of liquid or vapor between the sleeve and neck.In this event, the welding at the outer end of the neck could beeliminated if desired.

My improved assembly avoids all necessity for crimping in the assemblingthereof, in that it is so designed as to adapt it to the use of standardwelding apparatus, all of which is of primary consideration, if economyis to be realized in the fabrication of an assembly of the characterdisclosed by me. I

Another factor of considerable importance, is the comparative ease andeconomy with which one may repair or replace damaged structure in myimproved assembly. The sleeve, for example, may readily be removed bygrinding the flange 9 or H down to the weld, and a new sleeve insertedand welded. In lieu of grinding down the flange, the sleeve might befreed by grinding through at the bend of the flange, leaving the flangeremaining as part of the neck structure. Where the lower edge of thesleeve is rolled as described, this will present no problem to removalof the sleeve, in view of the relative thinness of material capable ofuse in my improved assembly. In any event, it is pointed out, that theneck or any part of the drum proper is left undisturbed, the entireprocedure being narrowed down to practically a grinding operation in theremoval of the old sleeve and a welding operation in the assembling of anew sleeve.

While I have disclosed my invention in detail, it is possible to modifythe same without departing from the principles embodied therein. Theneck, for example, may also be formed independently of the drum sheetmaterial and then welded into place. From an economic viewpoint,

I prefer to form the neck directly from the drum material, though inboth cases the neck will be integral with the drum. I according y do notdesire to be limited in my protection to the aforementioned details ofconstruction, except as may be necessitated by the prior art and theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A bung opening construction for a container comprising an outwardlyextending neck integral with the container, 2. bung receiving sleevetelescopically assembled within said neck and having an end flangewelded to an outer surface of the end of said neck to the exclusion ofthe inner cylindrical surface thereof and extending laterally beyond theouter cylindrical surface of said neck.

, 2. A bung opening construction for a container comprising an outwardlyextending neck integral with the container; a bung receiving sleeve ofthinner gauge material than said neck, telescopically assembled withinsaid neck and having an end flange welded to an outer surface of the endof said neck to the exclusion of the inner cylindrical surface thereofand extending laterally beyond the outer cylindrical surface of saidneck.

ARCHIE W. MCCLARY.

